DOCTORS in South Australian hospitals may be subjected to biometric
fingerprint and iris scans if they want to access sensitive patient
records and prescribe drugs.

The technology, which includes keyboard-mounted fingerprint scanners
and smartcard readers, could be deployed in hospital emergency departments
within 12 months.

The scanners would be used to strengthen security around patient records
as hospitals build new links between the numerous information systems
used to manage medical data.

It could also have lifesaving implications by making it faster for
doctors and nursing staff to access critical records that are controlled
at present by large numbers of passwords.

South Australia Department of Health chief information officer David
Johnston said the organisation had already completed several in emergency
departments and general hospital wards.

A further pilot involving 300 users is being planned, and specialist
consultants have also been contracted to review already completed trials.

"It is intended to cover all health employees within a four-year
timeframe," Mr Johnston said.

"Emergency departments are likely to be the first production users
within 12 months."

Mr Johnson said the Department of Health was primarily focused on fingerprint
scanning and smartcards, but he said iris scanners were also being examined.

Iris scanners have been adopted by other organisations, including prisons.The
move by the Department of Health to regulate access to hospital computer
systems through fingerprint scans and smartcards is part of a $375 million
information systems project.